The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-04-09
CHAPTER Xxx


In large darkened room, with mating
on the floor and books and ladies work
lying on the scattered tables, sits fair
haired girl, with three pale-skinned chill
dren about her. The youngest has just
fallen asleep on her knee; the two elder
ones are sitting at her feet, and looking up
eagerly into her face, for she has been tell
ing them story, and, as part of it is true,
they are very much interested in it.
What's his name, Letty2" asks the
eldest.
Il don't know, dear; but We shall soon
hear"
'ls he coming today"
This evening, | expect. He will stay
here until he can go on board ship. / hope
you will be very good, darlings, and make
no noise. You must think of what l told
you-that he got himself hurt In striving
for England"
iii be as quiet as a mouse" said the
eldest little girl. I'm English, and I'm
going to England some day. Are you
English. Letty?"
Eyes, am English" answered Lefty,
smiling.
At this moment the curtain of mating
that took the place of a door was pushed
aside, and tall, slender lady, with a
harassed expression on her face, peeped in.
ing for you. Leave the children with the
ayah. Baby asleep? SO much the better;
she was fretting all night, poor little thing!
Come you to my room, dear, | want to
speak to you"
The ayah took Letty's place, and she fol-
lowed the children's mother to another
darkened room.
You are doing too much, dear Mrs
Stanhope," she said. Had YOU not bet
ter lie down? I will call the men and have
the punkah set going; then, perhaps, you
may sleep for little"
really think l will try to take
a nap" said the distracted lady.
My head is in a whirl. If / let
myself get excited like this I shall have
fever again. We really must start for the
hills at once. You are looking so pale too,
poor child. And you had such a lovely
color when you came away. / feel some
times as If | had done very wrong in taking
You to this dreadful place"
But II Is not dreadful in the winter, and
you say we are going to the hills soon, and
everybody gets pale here" said Lefty,
brightly. Il hope you are not really sorry
You took pity on me that terrible night"
Sorry cried Mrs. Stanhope. Il never
was so glad of anything in my life. Dear
me, my eyes are nearly closing. I can't
] wanted to receive him myself"
81 will look after him gladly" answered
Lefty. Il am sure you ought to rest"
Ii was the spring of the year 1879, when
the second Afghan war was near its close.
and England and British India had been
stirred TO their center by the fine achieve
ment of Sir Frederick Roberts and his GAL
liant little army.
The Stanhopes. who lived for the greater
part of the year in Bombay-Mr. Stanhope
being civil official of some standing there
had, during the past weeks, been think
ing and talking of scarcely anything else
but the war, and our little Lefty, who had
been with them ever since the night she
became lost to her friends, and who was
now Mrs. Stanhopes companion and
trusted friend, had heard with the deepest
inter, st of Its progress. She did not know
that Percy was with Sir Frederick Roberts
Lager tor any news whatever about him
and his friends, she had watched the pa
pers 10 see if his regiment would be sent
out; but he had been given. rs we know, a
staff appointment, and had consequently
left his regiment for time.
II had been a fine opportunity for the
young soldier to show what mettle he was
OF. and he had amply justified the trust re-
posed Iii him. Throughout the brief and
brilliant campaign he had. by his courage
and endurance, his happy temperament
which gave him an extraordinary influence
over those he commanded. and his
readiness TO face danger. won golden
opinions from men whose good opinion.
as Percy knew, was more priceless thar
the richest treasure.
v hen he was passing through Candaha,
he formed part of the advance guard
he was struck. \ bullet. fred from an
upper window, hit his right arm. He
erasped ms sword with his left hand. and,
though the pain made him set his teeth to-
EtsAer, Kept his place in the line of march.
here were other soldiers and officers
wounded th2t day, and their names were
seen IN the papers and sent home to then
trends. Percy had his arm dressed. re-
fused to 90 to hospital. and begged that be
should not be reported as wounded. With
his left hand he wrote few lines TO his
mother telling her that he had received a
slight wound, which prevented him from
using his night hand, but that she need not
be the least anxious about him.
IN the meantime II was thought advisable
70 send away some of the invalids under
armed escort TO the coast, whence they
could embark for England. To Percy, as
IN unattached officer, who had shown cour-
g G. cooineSS, and resource, the command
81 Tie convoy was given, and in the month
OF Alay. shortly after lakub Kahn had en-
tered the British camp as { supplicant fol